Crowds gather in Southport for funeral of girl killed in knife attack (2024)

Priest's moving tribute at funeral

At the beginning of the ceremony, as nine-year old Alice's friends and loved ones took their seats, the priest leading the ceremony made a moving tribute.

In memory of Alice who loved playing the guitar, the priest played a song, with Alice’s guitar next to him while he sang.

'A beautiful ceremony'

The ceremony and funeral has concluded and hundreds have made their way down Marshside Road.

Floods of people followed the cortège as it made its way down Marshside Road.

That concludes my coverage of what has been a heartbreaking day for the families and friends of Alice Da Silva Aguiar. A beautiful ceremony followed by hundreds.

RIP Alice. pic.twitter.com/BV8ngWD3ZS

— Ben Roberts-Haslam (@benhaslm) August 11, 2024

Video from the funeral as hundreds pay tribute

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More pictures from funeral

'We will get answers,' vow Alice's parents

Describing Alice as their “beloved angel”, Alice's parents said "we will get answers" in a tribute to their daughter. They praised the communities in Southport, England and Portugal, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Secretary of State and local MP speak

The advisor to the Secretary of State for Portugal has thanked the British authorities for their support of Alice’s family, reports the Liverpool Echo. Patrick Hurley, Southport MP, has also spoken, saying this is what the Southport community is about.

'I'm ashamed and so sorry' says Merseyside chief constable

Speaking at the service, Merseyside Police chief constable Serena Kennedy has thanked the family for inviting them, reports the Liverpool Echo. She references the riots that have broken out across the country in the wake of the stabbings, saying: “I’m ashamed and so sorry you have even had to consider this. I hope anyone who has been involved in the violent disorder in the last 13 days is hanging their head in shame for the pain they have put you and your family through."

'She had a smile that lit up every room'

A tribute written by Alice’s dance teacher Heidi Liddle, read by Mrs Payne, said Alice was the "most kind hearted child with thick brown hair that danced as she walked," reports the Liverpool Echo. She continued: “She had a smile that lit up every room that she walked into.”

'Let your beaming smile guide you'

Churchtown Primary School headteacher Jinnie Payne has been reading a poem called 'Here Comes Alice'. As she finished her reading, she said: “Let your beaming smile guide you and you will forever be in our Churchtown hearts.”

MP and chief constable among speakers

Southport MP Patrick Hurley and Merseyside Police chief constable Serena Kennedy are among those who have spoken at the service so far, according to a Liverpool Echo reporter who is at the scene.

As the funeral is underway, we’ve heard from Southport MP Patrick Hurley, Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy and Churchtown Primary School headteacher Mrs Payne.

People remain gathered outside the church as Mrs Payne reads a poem called “Here Comes Alice”. pic.twitter.com/0EoZgxexH6

— Ben Roberts-Haslam (@benhaslm) August 11, 2024

Alice's headteacher pays tribute

Jinnie Payne, the headteacher of Churchtown Primary School, the school which Alice and other Southport victim, Bebe King attended, is now speaking at the service, reports the Liverpool Echo.

She said: “Alice wore a natural smile everyday, it wasn’t forced and it wasn’t put on. She took her manners everywhere. She had genuine interest and was inquisitive."

Pictures show moment funeral cortege arrived

As the funeral cortege arrived, members of the public were already lining Marshside Road, along with about 30 uniformed police officers. Pink ribbons and balloons were tied to lampposts and garden walls, reports the PA news agency.

Applause broke out as the carriage - drawn by two white horses sporting orange and white plumes - containing the youngster's white coffin approached the church entrance. Several hundred people entered the church earlier, with the rest listening outside as the service is relayed on louspeakers.

'Celebrating the beautiful life of Alice'

The order of service for Alice's funeral says that it will be a celebration of her "beautiful life".

It is being held at St Patrick's Catholic Church, pictured below:

Priest leading service plays guitar

Alice enjoyed playing the guitar and there has been a sweet nod to this at the service, reports the Liverpool Echo. The priest leading the service is playing the guitar, with Alice’s guitar next to him while he sings. He explains to the service how she loved to play the instrument.

Emergency workers among funeral attendees

Pictures from the scene show mourners lining the streets. Emergency workers - many of whom were responders on the day of the Southport tragedy - are attending the funeral and have also been spotted at the church.

As the horse drawn carriage and crowds of mourners arrived at the church, applause erupted from the crowds gathered on Marshside Road, the Liverpool Echo earlier reported. People gathered in the churchyard as the funeral service began at 2pm, with many wearing pastel colours in memory of Alice having made their way into the church.

Alice's coffin carried into funeral

We've got pictures the first from the funeral, which show Alice's coffin being carried outside St Patrick's Catholic Church.